Prior \Pri"or\, n. [OE. priour, OF. priour, prior, priur, F. prieur, from L. prior former, superior. See {Prior}, a.] (Eccl.) The superior of a priory, and next below an abbot in dignity. {Conventical}, or {Conventual}, {prior}, a prior who is at the head of his own house. See the Note under {Priory}. {Claustral prior}, an official next in rank to the abbot in a monastery; prior of the cloisters.